The BATN Foundation and the Lagos State Ministry of Agriculture and Food Systems have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening food security, improving farmers' livelihoods, and promoting a more resilient agricultural ecosystem. This commitment was made at the 2026 Eko World Food Day celebration, held at the Nigeria Police College, Ikeja. The event brought together government officials, consumers, farmers, agripreneurs, financial institutions, corporate organisations, development partners, and other stakeholders across the agricultural value chain.
The 2026 Eko World Food Day celebration, themed "Innovate Today, Nourish Tomorrow," featured exhibitions, market linkages, knowledge-sharing sessions, and stakeholder engagement. These activities aimed to explore practical solutions to food security challenges. Deputy Governor Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, representing Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, highlighted the state's ambition to increase food sufficiency from approximately 20 per cent to 40 per cent of its food demand through a comprehensive five-year agricultural and food systems roadmap.
The roadmap prioritises infrastructure and markets, production and processing, human capital development, innovation, and farmer support. Key interventions include the development of a central food security and logistics hub, middle-level agricultural produce hubs, and last-mile distribution networks. Hamzat commended the BATN Foundation and other development partners for supporting the state's agricultural development agenda, noting that sustained collaboration remains critical to building a resilient, inclusive, and sustainable food system.
Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Systems, Abisola Olusanya, highlighted the administration's efforts to strengthen the entire agricultural value chain. These efforts include investments in agricultural training, mechanisation, processing, livestock development, aquaculture, and food distribution infrastructure. Olusanya noted that these initiatives reflect a strategic shift towards treating agriculture as an interconnected ecosystem where farmers, processors, traders, logistics providers, financial institutions, and consumers all play vital roles in ensuring food security.
The BATN Foundation's Board Director, Ruth Owojaiye, highlighted the impact of the Foundation's partnership with the Lagos State Government. Since 2019, the initiative has improved the livelihoods of more than 4,000 smallholder farmers, engaged over 10,000 shoppers, and facilitated millions of naira in income for participating farmers. Owojaiye reaffirmed the Foundation's commitment to sustainable agriculture and rural development, revealing that it has invested more than ₦5 billion in empowerment initiatives and reached over 1.9 million beneficiaries.
Owojaiye stressed that achieving long-term food security will require continued investment in women, youth, rural communities, and smallholder farmers. This can be achieved by providing them with the knowledge, resources, technology, and partnerships needed to thrive within the agricultural economy. The Eko World Food Day celebration demonstrated the power of collaboration in creating economic opportunities for farmers and agripreneurs while strengthening connections across the agricultural value chain.
Ultimately, the 2026 Eko World Food Day celebration underscored the importance of connecting people to opportunities. From smallholder farmers and young agripreneurs to consumers and investors, the event demonstrated how stronger partnerships can create lasting economic value while advancing food security. The celebration showcased the growing impact of long-term partnerships in addressing food security challenges while creating sustainable economic opportunities for farmers and agribusinesses.
Key points
- BATN Foundation and Lagos State Government have improved the livelihoods of over 4,000 smallholder farmers since 2019.
- Lagos State aims to increase food sufficiency from 20% to 40% through a five-year agricultural and food systems roadmap.
- BATN Foundation has invested over ₦5 billion in empowerment initiatives, reaching over 1.9 million beneficiaries.
